All cases
Church-Door In Montecatini Set On Fire
April 15, 2021, ItalyOn the afternoon of 15 April, a fire was set at the door of the church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo in Montecatini Alto. The door was partially destroyed. The fire brigade and the Carabinieri intervened right away. So far, there seem to be no direct witnesses to the arson, which can be safely assumed. The police are investigating.
Woman Destroys Consecrated Objects In Church In Düsseldorf
April 12, 2021, GermanyA woman vandalised sacred objects in the sanctuary of the Maxkirche in Düsseldorf between 12 and 16 April. The perpetrator threw candles and altar cloths on the floor. The congregation is shocked at the extent of the devastation. The city Deacon, Frank Heidkamp, said: "An adult woman threw candles, candlesticks, floral arrangements, altar cloths and sacrificial candles on the floor during normal opening hours last week and obviously caused this devastation with wanton intent." The case was recorded on a security camera and has already been handed over to the police, who is now investigating.
Vandals Devastate Cemetery In Mosina
April 12, 2021, PolandVandals attacked the parish cemetery in Mosina during the night of 11 to 12 April. Broken candles and other damages were found. The case was also investigated by the police, who have already arrested one person. The city police also found a vandalised car in a nearby car park.
The Churches of Rides and Marsac Vandalized
April 12, 2021, FranceOver the Easter weekend, form 3 to 5 April, both churches, the church of Rides, in the commune of Cours, and Marsac, in the commune of Laugnac were vandalized. The perpetrators used old stone cross from the cemetery in order to break down the doors of the churches. Both churches are isolated and emptied of all materials for a long time. Locals and rural elected representatives are often faced with this type of vandalism and delinquency by perpetrators who do not respect places of worships.
The Church of Saint-Hilaire in Bouy Damaged by Fire
April 12, 2021, FranceOn the 12th of April, particularly around 11am, one of the aisles of the the 12th-13th century church of Saint-Hilaire in Bouy has been set on fire. The origin of the fire remains unknown. The firemen were successful to douse the fire with water.
Unknown Perpetrators Destroy Organ Pipes of Church In Höxter
April 11, 2021, GermanyIn Höxter, unknown perpetrators vandalised the church of St. Anna on 11 April. Inside the church they destroyed the ornamental organ pipes. The vandals also lit candles, spread matches on the floor and left two notes with inscriptions. The damage to property amounts to 1.000€. The incident was reported to the police.
Two Pastors Arrested After Outdoor Worship Service
April 11, 2021, FinlandOn April 11 of 2021, two Christian pastors were arrested and detained for over 4 hours during an outdoor worship service, which was interrupted by the police due to Covid-19 regulations. A few dozen people of the Baptist-affiliated “home church” (Kottikirko) gathered on a large and spacious square for their public worship, being the fifth Sunday running that the Christian group gathered in the same place for the same purpose.
Cassino Cemetery Reconsecrated After Red-Light Meetings
April 10, 2021, ItalyAfter red-light parties with prostitutes were held in the Cassino cemetery, the local church officials felt compelled to return sanctity to the desecrated place and rededicate the cemetery. "This rite of reparation", the diocese said, "became necessary as a result of the recent judicial investigation of the management of the municipal cemetery, which revealed serious acts that qualify as desecration of the bodies. In the name of the Church and representing the entire community of Setina, we went to the cemetery, prayed for the deceased buried there and renewed the rite of blessing the cemetery as an act of reparation for the desecration and sacrilege committed."
Church of Fraternité Scerdotale Saint-Pie Tagged with Sickle and Hammer
April 10, 2021, FranceThe church of Fraternité Scerdotale Saint-Pie X churches has been vandalized during the night of 9-10 April. More specifically, the gate and the fence have been tagged with sprayed as well as red paint. It has been assumed that the main perpetrators are from the left-wing movement in Nantes since the tags included a sickle and a hammer. In the morning of 10th April, the tags have been removed by the SSPX.
Our Lady Reconciler Chapel and the Church of Saint-Joseph des Nations Broken Into
April 9, 2021, FranceDuring the night of 8 to 9 April, the Notre-Dame Réconciliatrice chapel in Paris was broken into. The chapel is located 500 metres from the church of Saint-Joseph des Nations which was also a victim of a burglary during the night of 4th to 5th April. The unknown perpetrators stole Easter collections, the large chest containing, two ciboria used at Holy Thursday, and other religious objects. The altar cloth was also stolen.
Desecration of Monastery in Halefka by Illegal Techno Party
April 7, 2021, CyprusThe Armenian monastery of Saint Magar in the North of Cyprus has been desecrated by an illegal techno party. The party is said to have taken place in March, although a video of the party was only released in April. The Religious Leaders of the Island have now released a statement declaring: “The Religious Leaders of Cyprus condemn this unfortunate act and any misuse, disrespect and desecration of places of worship and cemeteries in Cyprus, irrespective of intention, religion, dogma and denomination". In their statement, they pointed out that all places of worship and cemeteries, in use or not, are protected against vandalism. They stated furthermore that “disrespecting places of worship and cemeteries creates pain, nurtures mistrust and becomes an obstacle to peaceful coexistence”.
An Islamic Attack Planned Against a Church in Montpellier
April 7, 2021, FranceOn the 7th of April, the French authorities received information from the Moroccan General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGSI) about a French woman of Moroccan origin who lives in Béziers. This woman was "planning an imminent terrorist operation targeting a church in France." According to the investigations, she lives in Dévèze, a ‘’sensitive’’ district of Béziers, and intended to carry out the act. The investigators found in her flat a sword and mechanism as well as materials to make TATP, which is a powerful explosive. The woman remains in custody.
Arson at Church In Gelsenkirchen
April 5, 2021, GermanyThe Church of St. Mary's Assumption in Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen was the victim of an arson attack on the 5th of April in the evening, which is also Easter Monday. The fire brigade was on the scene with 80 emergency personnel. The fire started inside the building and had broken out into the sacristy. From there, the fire spread to the nave and smoke came out of the roof. Right before the fire broke out, witnesses saw young people running out of the church. According to the police, they have had two previous incidents in the same church.
Arson to Church In Northern France causes extensive Damage
April 5, 2021, FranceOn Easter Monday evening, 5. April, a fire broke out in the listed collegiate church of Saint-Nicolas in Avesnes-Sur-Helpe near Cambrai, causing extensive damage to the church. A man was placed in custody facing 10 years of prison for the arson attack to the church. It seems that the fire was set near the wooden altarpiece, leading to several works being destroyed or damaged.
The Wall Behind the Church Destroyed
April 5, 2021, FranceDuring the night of Sunday to Monday, the wall of the old cemetery, just behind the church in the street of Rhome, has been destroyed. Anne-Sophie Peureux-Demangelle, the mayor of Lachapelle-sous-Chaux, claims that the wall did not fall down by itself. It was a clear act of vandalism with a tractor. The perpetrators circulated a video on social media particularly Snapchat. They commented: 'We didn't fake it last night'." The town hall has filed a complaint to the police.
Church In Paris Robbed And Desecrated
April 4, 2021, FranceOn the night of Easter Sunday, thieves gained entry into the Église Saint-Joseph des Nations church in Paris. They escaped with the proceeds of the collection, two sacred vessels and a consecrated host. According to Aleteia, “the thieves took away the large chest containing the proceeds of Easter collections, three (empty) boxes and two ciboriums that they located by forcing the doors of the tabernacle. The hosts were found on the altar tablecloth, while the large host used for adoration was taken away by the vandals. The police are investigating.
Church in Aichach Tagged with Insulting Graffiti "Hypocrite Church = Child Molester" During Easter Week
April 4, 2021, GermanyOn the night of Easter Sunday, April 4th, unknown perpetrators tagged the facade of the town parish church in Aichach with an insulting and stereotyping slogan. In the morning, the sacristan reported the damage to property to the police. The police are investigating.
Unknown Perpetrators Loot Offertory Box Of Church In Corigliano Scalo
April 4, 2021, ItalyIn the days immediately before Easter, the parish of Saints Leo and Nicholas in the town of Scalo in the Gallo D'Oro area was targeted. During the night, unknown persons broke into the church through a smashed window and stole from the church interior only a few coins that were kept in the offertory. They also broke open a door and stole a loudspeaker. The police are investigating.
Easter Service in Nidda Disrupted By Three Young Men Scanting Islamic Slogans
April 3, 2021, GermanyThree unknown, alcoholised young Muslim men have disturbed the Easter Vigil service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church "Zum Heiligen Geist" in Nidda, Central Hesse. According to the church congregation, they repeatedly attacked worshippers (especially children and teenagers) and shouted "There is only one God, and that is Allah" and "Allah is the greatest". The unknown perpetrators had already insulted some of the worshippers outside the church and even filmed them. The perpetrators were asked to leave numerous times, also because they did not wear masks but refused to do so. The State Security Service has started an investigation for disturbing the exercise of religion.
Blasphemous Posters on the Door of the Polish House in Bydgoszcz
April 2, 2021, PolandOn the 2nd of April posters explicitly attacking the Catholic Church and mocking the holy cross were hung on the door of the Polish House in Bydgoszcz. The Catholic House in Bydgoszcz, also called the Polish House, is a historic public building used as a place of activity by Catholic organisations and associations in Bydgoszcz. The unknown perpetrators also left the blasphemous inscription: "The secret of faith - cars and dollars". The holy cross, The incident was reported by the church authorities to the city police.